Bacon Wrapped BBQ Sausages, Confetti Rice and Grilled Nectarines

I made this last week, but I did so horribly on the sausages and rice I didn't even want to post that blog. I charred the sausages so bad, they were not worthy to be pictured. And I was so out-of-it last week I couldn't even be creative with the rice. I served it plain. Terrible decision. I did steam some vegetables with them, but this time I thought I would change it up. I don't like the feeling of being in a food challenge and flubbing it so bad, even though it's just for my family. I know I'm not in a official challenge, but even I have to eat it so I want it to be good. So I tried again last night and it turned out much better.

The Food Challenge: sausage, rice, bacon, nectarines.

Bacon Wrapped BBQ Sausages

5 slices bacon

5 mild italian sausage links

1 tbsp dijon mustard

1 tbsp BBQ sauce

1 tbsp honey

1 tbsp grilling seasoning

Preheat grill to medium high heat. (I used my electric grill.) Wrap 1 slice of bacon around each sausage link. Grill sausages until browned on both sides, about 8 minutes each side. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Remove sausages from grill and place on the foil covered baking sheet. Mix dijon mustard, BBQ sauce, honey and grilling seasoning in a small bowl. Brush sauce on top side of sausages. Cook in oven for 15 minutes until sausages are cooked through. Sausages should be juicy.

Confetti Rice

2 cups cooked brown rice

1 tbsp olive oil

1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped

1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped

1/2 cup cashews

1/4 cup wasabi dried peas

Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add green and red bell peppers and cook until just tender, about 5 minutes, stirring occassionally. Season with salt and pepper. Add cashews, stir to mix and cook until lightly toasted, about 5 minutes. Add peas and stir to mix, cooking for another 3 minutes. Peas should still be crunchy. Add cooked brown rice and stir to mix.

Grilled Nectarines

3 nectarines, halved and pitted

1/4 cup blueberry yogurt

2 tsp lemon juice

1/2 tsp sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Grill nectarines over medium-high heat, cooking for 5 minutes each side. Mix yogurt and lemon juice in small bowl. Drizzle sauce over nectarines. Combine sugar and cinnamon in small bowl, and sprinkle over top of nectarines. Serve warm.

I hope you are enjoying the recipes I've posted. If you have tried any of them yourself, let me know how you have changed them and how they turned out. Also, if you have a food challenge you would like me to try just let me know! I'm open to any input and help! :)

I know this challenge was supposed to be last week, so I'm doing another one tomorrow night. Look for that post later this week.